First round of Mass Drug Distribution of DEC+ ALbendazole was carried out in Tamil Nadu between 19th to 24th March 2001 Covering a population of 26 Million in 12 districts.

Implementation units of DEC and DEC+Albendazole in Tamil Nadu

EvaluationCentre

District

Population
(in million)

Endemicity(%)

TRC Chennai

Kancheepuram

2841820

19.2

Trichy

2407488

2.7

Thiruvallur

2918644

19.2

Vellore

3422269

15.7

VCRC
Pondicherry

Nagapattinuam

1498024

15.9

Thiruvannmalai

2254609

15.6

Tanjore

2206006

15.9

Thiruvarur

1204595

19.2

State
Government

Cuddalore

2333618

7.8

Villupuram

3042854

7.8

Pudukottai

1421137

6.7

Kannyakumari

1728162

4.2

DEC+Albendazole Reported Coverage Details fro the Year 2001

District

Total Population

Target Population

% of Coverage

DEC

ALB

DEC

ALB

Kancheepuram

2841820

2736187

2640244

95.0

94.93

Thiruvallur

2918644

2776972

2733988

95.2

93.9

Vellore

3422269

3276626

3188682

96.95

96.77

Thiruvarur

1204595

1163082

1130246

97.2

97.2

Nagapattinam

1498024

144678

1448078

94.9

94.5

Thanjavur

2206006

2106729

2062616

87.4

86.9

Thiruvannamalai

2254609

2186578

-

93.0

-

Villupuram

3042854

2911139

-

97.79

-

Cuddalore

2333618

2208698

-

93.8

-

Trichy

2407488

2311188

-

99.08

-

Pudukkottai

1421137

1391236

-

94.3

-

Kany akumari

1728162

1667196

-

95.96

-

State Total

27279226

26180309

13203854

94.79

94.05

SUMMARY

Assessed coverage ranged between 60 and 65% in different sites and the Consumption of drug is related to Coverage in distribution.
Therefore, there is a greater scope for improving coverage of distribution when compared to consumption, there is a need to:

Train PHC level officials and the drug distributors

Facilitate drug distribution by strengthening in terms of incentives and manpower, optimizing the duration and timing of distribution

Strengthening the supervision during the drug distribution is required

Coverage of distribution was significantly lower in urban compared to rural areas
Additional inputs are necessary to improve distribution in urban areas.

Consumption was betweeen 40 and 55% of the total population
IEC activities need to be intensified using appropriate tools to enhance consumtion

To overcome discrepancies in the reported coverage,it is necessary to ensure proper reporting and record keeping at all levels through appropriate training (uniform and simpler formats can be used)